NBA mock draft: Big drop for Celtics

Share this:

Michigan’s Moritz Wagner (13) dunks during the second half in the championship game of the Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament against Villanova, Monday, April 2, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Though another draft bonanza is on the horizon next June, for now the Celtics are back in the near-forgotten position of looking up, and hoping for a slider, in Thursday’s NBA draft.

At No. 27 they are probably looking at the next Maine Red Claw when Danny Ainge makes his final call on a player, who could come from a variety of positions. Though deciding on the best player available clearly applies, the team is said to be hopeful it can add some size, with Aron Baynes the only pure center in the lineup.

With that in mind, we give the nod to a young, skilled big man who should be available when the Celtics go on the clock. What follows is an exercise sure to break apart like a rack of pool balls with the first wrong prediction — our 2018 mock draft.

1. PHOENIX: DeAndre Ayton, Arizona center: He’s probably the only automatic pick of the draft, and something of a rarity in today’s NBA as a franchise big man. A dominant scorer with enough range to show promise as a floor spacer, and the ability to lock down the defensive glass. Several years of draft purgatory enabled GM Sean McDonough to assemble young talent in other spots with Devin Booker, Josh Jackson and Marquese Chriss. Ayton will enable this young mix to take flight.

2. SACRAMENTO: Marvin Bagley, Duke PF/C: This is where the draft forks in at least three directions, with Luka Doncic and even Michael Porter on GM Vlade Divac’s board. But if there’s another cornerstone in this draft, it’s this polished scorer from Jayson Tatum’s alma mater. Bagley will need physical development to handle the job defensively, but he has the athleticism to be a versatile defender, and enough offensive polish to score from mid-range and in from the jump.

3. ATLANTA: Jaren Jackson, Michigan State PF/C: Jackson, though young and in need of significant development, is the modern NBA big man, with the most demonstrated 3-point ability of any big man in the field, superior playmaking instincts and equal promise as a rim protector. Will need time, but Atlanta isn’t going anywhere any time soon.

4. MEMPHIS: Wendell Carter, Duke freshman PF/C:The run on big men continues, with this Al Horford clone stepping into the Grizzlies’ aging void, with Marc Gasol in the twilight of his career. Carter has one of the most polished arsenals of any big man in the field. And if Gasol isn’t traded away, he’s the perfect mentor for a young big already known for playing the right way.

5. DALLAS: Luca Doncic, Real Madrid wing: At one stage considered the cream of the draft, this multi-talented EuroLeague MVP has drifted through no fault of his own. It’s simply rare when this many talented big men are in a draft class. But Doncic’s skill, which belies his age (19), is NBA-ready. He’ll help the Mavericks win immediately.

6. ORLANDO: Mo Bamba, Texas center: Several years of questionable personnel decisions have left the Magic with holes galore, but especially at center and point guard. Bamba, he of the seven-foot wing span and the best rim protection on the board, provides a defensive foundation. His offense, though, faces years of development. Trae Young could also be the pick here.

7. CHICAGO: Michael Porter, Missouri SF: Porter has been the hardest player to peg on the board because of his injury (back) history, but his ability as a wing scorer intrigues teams as high as Sacramento as No. 2. Said to be hoping that Porter falls one pick deeper. Alas, the Bulls have the chance to land another young, long scorer here.

8.CLEVELAND: Trae Young, Oklahoma point guard: The Cavaliers, even as they’re put on ice by LeBron, need someone, anyone, who has the potential for greatness. At this stage in the draft Young may be the only player left with that kind of promise. He’s a special shooter who has a chance to be truly dynamic beyond the arc and out of the pick-and-roll. Defense is going to be his big challenge on the next level, and without much hope because of his size.

9. NEW YORK: Collin Sexton, Alabama PG: Kevin Knox, one of the hottest mid-lottery commodities on the board, may also come into play here. But the Knicks are once again in the market for point guard help. Sexton, a young, athletic talent, is known for a compelling hunger to win and a score-first mentality. Easy to see him emerging as an MSG fan favorite.

10. PHILADELPHIA: Kevin Knox, Kentucky swing forward: Potentially a great score for the Sixers in this spot, especially in light of Knox’ highly-touted string of workouts over the last week. He’s an aggressive scorer at home from 3-point range, and a great young compliment for a Philly team that needs shooting.

11. CHARLOTTE: Mikal Bridges, Villanova swing forward: The Hornets may be heartbroken here, because they were said to be deeply impressed by Knox’ workout earlier this week. But Bridges, two-time national champion, is a great fit for the modern NBA with his 3-and-D strengths. Also one of the most NBA-ready players on the board.

12. LA CLIPPERS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kentucky PG: Doc Rivers suddenly has a lot of needs, but probably nowhere as glaring as point guard. Gilgeous-Alexander has great all-around promise with the kind of strength and athleticism that will translate well defensively.

13. LA CLIPPERS: Jerome Robinson, Boston College SG: This seasoned BC star has reportedly impressed the Clippers staff as a scorer. Was accustomed to bearing the load with the Eagles, playing 36 minutes a game and making a jump as a junior. With the Clippers in decline, they need an influx of scoring.

14. DENVER: Robert Williams, Texas A&M PF/C: The Nuggets have been conflicted for years over the viability of their undersized power forward – Kenneth Faried – and must now also look beyond the aging Paul Millsap. Williams is a relentless force on the glass who will instantly improve the defensive culture of whatever team he joins. Though he could go higher, Williams fits in perfectly as a physical, tough presence next to Nikola Jokic.

15. WASHINGTON: Miles Bridges, Michigan State swing forward: The Wizards, who need to address their interior, take a half-step here with an aggressive scorer who will eventually be a load for small forwards to handle. Projects as a versatile forward.

16. PHOENIX: Zhaire Smith, Texas Tech SG: The Suns now have a chance to build on an extremely young, talented core with another player who can flat-out shoot.

17. MILWAUKEE: Lonnie Walker, Miami SG: The Bucks can add depth just about everywhere, with Walker an exciting finisher whose offense is probably ahead of what he can do at the other end of the floor.

18. SAN ANTONIO: Donte DiVincenzo, Villanova wing: Not every player fits into the Spurs’ selfless style, but DiVincenzo makes sense as a team-oriented player with a great 3-point shot.

19. ATLANTA: Kevin Huerter, Maryland SG: It’s a good thing the Hawks have three first round picks. They need upgrades everywhere. Huerter brings one of the best catch-and-shoot arsenals in this year’s field.

20. MINNESOTA: Chandler Hutchison, Boise State wing: A good all-around offensive player whose length (7-foot-1 wingspan) bodes well for his future as an NBA defender, and thus a fit under Tom Thibodeau.

21. UTAH: Omari Spellman, Villanova PF/C: Spellman brings strength, high basketball IQ and national championship experience to a team that can look for size now that it has an explosive perimeter talent in Donovan Mitchell.

22. CHICAGO: Grayson Allen, Duke SG: A young team like the Bulls can never get enough scoring, and Allen will certainly improve their shooting. His stock has risen significantly since a strong workout with the Celtics, who will be deprived of a chance to consider him.

23. INDIANA: Aaron Holiday, UCLA PG: There’s an opportunity for a young point guard on this team, and Holiday is one of the quickest on the board.

24. PORTLAND: Troy Brown, Oregon wing: A terrific athlete who would have a great chance to grow here alongside some of the best perimeter talent in the NBA.

25. LA LAKERS: Mitchell Robinson, American C: If not for his itinerant path to the draft (three high schools, twice enrolled and never played at Western Kentucky), this shot-blocking, rim-attacking big man would be a lottery player. The Lakers have a chance here to take a gamble on a very talented red flag.

26. PHILADELPHIA: Gary Trent Jr., Duke SG: Trent ranks high on two accounts – his shooting and leadership. Both would be invaluable as the Sixers continue to build their winning culture.

27. CELTICS: Moritz Wagner, Michigan C: If the Celtics keep this pick, and there’s a significant chance it gets packaged as part of a larger deal, they end up holding a large net for whomever comes falling from above. But Wagner, a skilled offensive player who still needs to develop his 3-pointer, worked out for the team on Wednesday, and even fills a need. The team hoped to add size if possible with this pick, and Wagner is the best fit available.

28. GOLDEN STATE: Khyri Thomas, Creighton SG: He’s not going to put anyone out of a job on this team, but Thomas will have lots of time to work on his promising 3-point shot.

29. BROOKLYN: Dzanan Musa, Croatian wing: On most rosters he would be a draft and stash candidate, but Musa might actually have a chance to develop on the NBA level here.

Mark Murphy covered his first NBA season for the Boston Herald in 1989-90, Jimmy Rodgers' last as Celtics coach and a point when injuries were starting to overtake the careers of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. He was one of the first NBA writers to cover professional basketball in the Olympics with the 1992 Dream Team in Barcelona, and took a detour out to western Massachusetts to chronicle the rise of John Calipari and UMass basketball. He returned to the Celtics beat in 2001, and was on hand for the dawn of a second Big Three era - this time with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and the Celtics' 17th NBA title in 2008.

Mark Murphy covered his first NBA season for the Boston Herald in 1989-90, Jimmy Rodgers' last as Celtics coach and a point when injuries were starting to overtake the careers of Larry Bird and Kevin McHale. He was one of the first NBA writers to cover professional basketball in the Olympics with the 1992 Dream Team in Barcelona, and took a detour out to western Massachusetts to chronicle the rise of John Calipari and UMass basketball. He returned to the Celtics beat in 2001, and was on hand for the dawn of a second Big Three era - this time with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and the Celtics' 17th NBA title in 2008.